Saddles Decorations: Piping, Bling, Cantle

[lenapesadie]

I peered through some old threads but looks like most are several years old. I’m placing an order for a new saddle soon and am undecided if I want any decorative extras.

It will be a black saddle. So far I’ve considered no decorations, a bit of black patent piping (patent isn’t my fav on bridles but for saddle piping might be fun without being too loud), a crocodile panel on the cantle (also in black), silvery / grey piping, or pink piping.

Not terribly concerned about resale. It is what it is.

Show me your favorites! Tell me your thoughts!

[islgrl]

I have blue piping. It has not held up under where your legs go so it looks a bit shabby when I’m not sitting in it but the rest is fine so when I’m in the saddle its good.

[cayuse]

About the piping, I don’t have it on a saddle but I do have it on my harnesses and it does not hold up at the wear points where the reins rest.

[Viranh]

I think piping and fun cantle designs are beautiful on new saddles, but I have seen it wear out pretty fast. I wouldn’t want to have a saddle that’s only a few years old start to look worn, so I opted for plain black.

[Scribbler]

I also think worn or flashy piping might detract from resale value.

[lenapesadie]

I’m not concerned with resale. But I am concerned with some sort of decoration looking dingy or worn, as that would be unpleasant to my own eye.

[lenapesadie]

How old is yours?

[Graymaresrule]

I would go with a saddle plate from Swanky Saddle.

[lenapesadie]

Thanks for sharing! Those are beautiful.

[reefy]

I got piping that matches my horse’s color. My saddle is 3 years old now but we’ve been on stall rest for the past almost year so it’s only been used for 2 years. The piping is wearing already. I do have patent on the cantle and that looks nice without being too much! I love those saddle plates, really beautiful!

[lenapesadie]

Thank you for sharing. Sorry bout your horse though. I know how tough it is when they are hurt / sick for a long period.

I’m in love with those saddle plates in rose gold.

[Graymaresrule]

I’m not affiliated with Swanky Saddle but note that they will not be filling orders till after shoe season

[Gardenhorse]

I bought a used jump saddle with royal blue piping. I have only had it for 2 years, but the piping still looks good. I didn’t really want piping, but wasn’t going to say no to a saddle that otherwise fit my criteria. It’s actually more subtle than I thought it would be.

[islgrl]

6 years old

[CanteringCarrot]

I bought a used saddle that had patent piping on it and I didn’t mind the look. It was a 2018 model and held up alright. I’ll see if I can find a pic (sold it last year).

I’m not into “extras” really but have seen some look good. If you’re not concerned with resale, then there are no limits the crocodile pattern on another saddle I had was subtle but different.

[lenapesadie]

Yes I saw on their website. Lots of pretties though!

[lenapesadie]

That’s not bad then if it’s just wearing under the leg!

[CanteringCarrot]

Pics re my last post:

[lenapesadie]

Thank you for sharing!

Did you find that the patent piping scuffed easily?

I like crocodile print myself. And I’m pretty fond of getting what I like

[CanteringCarrot]

Sort of drove me nuts initially because it showed every little scuff, dirt, smear, whatever. Kind of why I ditched the patent noseband now that I think about it